UL 3172 Silicone + Braid Wire — 200°C 600V Dual-Layer Oven AWM
Dual-Layer Construction for Internal Wiring in Direct Proximity to Heating Elements
UL Style 3172 is a single-conductor appliance wiring material (AWM) insulated with extruded silicone rubber and covered with one or more fibrous braids — glass fibre or aramid — conforming to the same covering specification as Type SF-2 fixture wire. Rated for 200°C continuous operation at 600V AC with a horizontal-flame rating, the style covers conductor sizes from 26 AWG to 18 AWG in solid or stranded construction. The outer braid adds a layer of mechanical protection that bare silicone insulation alone does not provide, making UL 3172 the preferred choice where the wire runs in direct proximity to heating elements, oven walls, or moving racks. CableApex supplies UL 3172 wire as a UL Recognized Component — file on record — meeting the full dimensional and performance requirements of UL 758 AWM.
UL 3172 Specification Summary
- Style Number: UL 3172 (AWM, UL 758)
- Temperature Rating: 200°C continuous
- Voltage Rating: 600V AC
- Flame Rating: Horizontal flame
- Conductor Range: 26 AWG – 18 AWG, solid or stranded
- Insulation Material: Extruded silicone rubber (SR)
- Min. Insulation Wall: 30 mils average / 27 mils at any point (≈ 0.76 mm / 0.69 mm)
- Covering: One or more glass or aramid braid fibrous coverings (SF-2 type)
- Conductor Options: Bare or tinned copper
- UL Status: UL Recognized Component — file on record
- Intended Use: Internal wiring of appliances
Conductor & Dimension Reference
UL 3172 covers 26 AWG through 18 AWG — the compact gauge range most frequently specified for oven, grill, and heated-appliance internal leads. AWG is the primary sizing reference, with metric cross-section shown for convenience.
| Gauge (AWG) | Cross-Section (mm²) | Stranding | Ins. Wall (mm) | Nom. OD (mm) | Max. Resistance (Ω/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 AWG | 0.13 | 7/0.16 | 0.76 | 2.20 | 145.0 |
| 24 AWG | 0.20 | 7/0.20 | 0.76 | 2.40 | 89.4 |
| 22 AWG | 0.33 | 7/0.25 | 0.76 | 2.60 | 57.6 |
| 20 AWG | 0.52 | 10/0.25 | 0.76 | 2.80 | 36.4 |
| 18 AWG | 0.82 | 16/0.25 | 0.76 | 3.10 | 23.2 |
Typical Application Environments
The dual-layer construction — silicone rubber core plus fibrous braid — gives UL 3172 both thermal endurance and mechanical toughness in environments where bare-silicone wire would be at risk of surface damage:
- Commercial and residential ovens: Internal leads routed near chamber walls, door hinges, and rack guides are exposed to abrasion every time a rack is inserted or removed. The glass or aramid braid protects the underlying silicone from cuts and scuffs that could compromise insulation integrity over thousands of thermal cycles.
- Industrial grills, rotisseries, and heated cabinets: Equipment with moving components — rotating spits, sliding drawers, articulating doors — benefits from the braid’s resistance to localised rubbing and point-contact wear.
- Gas and fuel-oil burner ignition systems: UL 3172’s 600V rating and 200°C service support ignition transformer leads and flame-sensor wiring in direct proximity to burner assemblies.
- Heated laboratory and process equipment: Autoclave internal wiring, drying-oven leads, and thermal-chamber interconnects where the wire path contacts hot metal surfaces or runs through ceramic standoffs.
- HVAC heating elements: Internal leads connecting resistance elements to terminal blocks inside forced-air heater assemblies, where both radiant and convective heat act on the wire simultaneously.
UL 3172 vs Related 200°C Internal Wiring Styles
All four styles below share a 200°C ceiling, but their construction and voltage rating differences drive the selection decision:
| UL Style | Insulation / Covering | Temp | Voltage | Key Characteristic vs UL 3172 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3172 (this page) | Silicone + glass/aramid braid | 200°C | 600V | Dual-layer mechanical protection; ideal for oven leads near abrasion sources |
| 3135 | Silicone (no braid) | 200°C | 600V | Same temp/voltage; no outer braid — smaller OD but less abrasion protection |
| 3122 | Silicone + lacquered braid | 200°C | 300V | Half the voltage rating; thinner 15 mil wall; suited to lighter-duty 300V circuits |
| 1332 | FEP (fluoropolymer) | 200°C | 300V | Chemical inertness advantage; thinnest wall but no braid and lower voltage |
UL Recognition
All UL 3172 wire supplied by CableApex is produced under active UL Follow-Up Service as a UL Recognized Component — file on record. Each production reel carries the UL Recognized Component mark in accordance with UL Subject 758 marking requirements. Full recognition documentation is available on request for purchasing, compliance, or import customs purposes.
Related UL Styles for Comparison
- UL 3135 Silicone Wire — 200°C / 600V Totally Enclosed
- UL 3122 Silicone + Lacquered Braid Wire — 200°C / 300V
- UL 1332 FEP Wire — 200°C / 300V Fluoropolymer AWM
- All AWM Wire Styles
Order Information
Minimum order quantity is 100 metres per colour per gauge. Quotations are returned within 12 hours of enquiry. Please indicate AWG size, conductor finish (bare or tinned), quantity, colour, and preferred delivery port in the form below.
